To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1969 premiership, richmondfc.com.au is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2019 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today, we look at Footy Week’s review of the Tigers’ Round 18 match in the ’69 season against Hawthorn. The clash took place at Glenferrie Oval on Saturday, August 16, 1969, before a crowd of 19,480. Here’s how Footy Week scribe, Tom Lahiff, reported on Richmond’s 11-point win under the heading: “TIGERS STILL IN THE HUNT” . . .
“Richmond just had too much pace for Hawthorn in the crucial game at Glenferrie. It was a match that had everything, with fierce tackling the order of the day.
The Tigers knew they had to win it to keep their final four hopes alive and they played the game with appropriate desperation. Once their half-forwards and rovers took control, they had the Hawks struggling.
Richmond held more marks around the ground and used the ball to better advantage.
They had a match-winner in Eric Moore, who replaced Rex Hunt at full-forward and kicked three goals in a torrid last quarter.
Earlier, the Tigers had missed many easy shots for goal.
Hawthorn, in typical fashion, never stopped playing on and attempted to get the ball forward as quickly as possible. Their kicking lacks distance because they are always in such a hurry. But this is their style and they rightly stick to it.
The Hawks were just a trifle slow and they gave away a few free kicks by man-handling at critical stages in the third quarter. But I think they will stay in the four.
There were some great duels all over the ground. The one between Peter Hudson and Barry Richardson finished in favor of Hudson, who pulled down some great marks when the Hawks were in trouble. He finished with six goals.
Richardson knows now that you can’t contain a player like Hudson indefinitely.
Mike Green marked well for Richmond, but was held by Ken Beck (who made a quick recovery from Thursday) at the bounces and throw-ins. Don Scott showed plenty of vigor and also took some good marks.
Kevin Sheedy was far too good for Hawthorn’s resting rovers and Colin Beard did well in the other back pocket.
Bob Keddie and Geoff Strang had a great struggle – but Keddie is a hard man to subdue. Lance Morton had a bad day and couldn’t get going at all.
Ian Owen lacks experience, but gives a 100% effort. Tony Jewell lacked the pace to match it with young Peter Knights.
Dick Clay had the edge on Des Meagher, but on the other wing Geoff Angus finished in front of Francis Bourke. Moore was just beaten by Ray Wilson in the centre, but did a mighty job when shifted to full-forward.
Richmond had an important winner in centre half-forward Royce Hart, who outmarked and outgeneraled Norm Bussell. Rod Olsson held John Northey for most of the match, but I thought that Hart and Northey played match-winning football in the third quarter.
Roger Dean had his work cut out with Gene Chiron. The Tiger captain really had to earn every kick.
Mike Perry found form when shifted to centre half-back and I think he will finish the season there.
Terry Gay took Hunt apart, but, unfortunately for the Hawks, couldn’t do nearly as well with Moore.
Kevin Bartlett was the best rover afield and partner Bill Brown showed that he was not far below his best. Peter Crimmins was always battling, but could not break clear. Young Leigh Matthews could develop into a good second rover for the Hawks.”
Match details
Richmond 1.5 4.13 8.18 13.21 (99)
Hawthorn 2.7 7.8 10.8 13.10 (88)
Goals – Richmond: Moore 3, Northey 2, Hunt 2, Brown 2, Bartlett 2, Dean, Bond.
Best – Richmond: Sheedy, Hart, Green, Bartlett, Clay, Northey.
Richmond player statistics
Kevin Sheedy: 23 kicks, 0 handballs, 6 marks
Barry Richardson: 10 kicks, 0 handballs, 4 marks
Colin Beard: 14 kicks, 0 handballs, 6 marks
Geoff Strang: 11 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Ian Owen: 9 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks
Tony Jewell: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Francis Bourke: 16 kicks, 5 handballs, 5 marks
Eric Moore: 20 kicks, 5 handballs, 1 mark
Dick Clay: 16 kicks, 1 handball, 8 marks
Roger Dean: 17 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Royce Hart: 18 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks
John Northey: 15 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 marks
Mike Perry: 12 kicks, 0 handballs, 3 marks
Rex Hunt (off): 7 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Billy Brown: 14 kicks, 2 handballs, 3 marks
Mike Green: 11 kicks, 1 handball, 10 marks
Mike Bowden: 6 kicks, 12 handballs, 2 marks
Kevin Bartlett: 28 kicks, 1 handball, 3 marks
Mike Patterson (19th man): 1 kick, 0 handballs, 0 marks
Graeme Bond (20th man): 4 kicks, 0 handballs, 1 mark
